"Some of these destinations might happen next year, others might take a decade to align with life and logistics. That's part of the beauty... the dreaming, the planning, the slow build of anticipation that makes the eventual reality even sweeter."
The best thing about any bucket list? It's never really finished. Each adventure opens the door to three more possibilities, every route map reveals new opportunities, and every conversation with fellow travelers adds another pin to the mental map.
So with that, we chatted to good friend Charlotte Inman of Sisters In The Wild - THE group in the know when it comes to bikepacking and gravel riding. Carry on reading for Charlotte's top picks for her bikepacking bucket list.
Written by Charlotte Inman, Director of Sisters In The Wild
Sisters In The Wild is all for having a good time, fostering inclusion, representation, and belonging for women, trans, and non-binary folk across the bikepacking and gravel riding scene.
CONTENTS
Why have a bikepacking bucket list?
There's something magical about the space between planning and pedaling. Those quiet moments spent tracing routes on maps, scrolling through endless Instagram feeds of mountain sunrises and gravel roads that disappear into the horizon. The anticipation builds with every saved route, every bookmarked café, every daydream of waking up to a view that no hotel room could ever offer.
Bikepacking opens up a world that's impossible to reach any other way. It's the perfect speed to notice everything—the way morning mist clings to valley floors, the sound of gravel crunching under tyres, the genuine warmth of strangers who wave as you pass or welcome you to chat. You're carrying everything you need, but somehow you feel lighter than ever.
The planning is part of the adventure too. Late nights spent mapping out routes, researching wild camping spots, and debating whether that extra pair of socks is worth the weight. Every trip starts long before you get on the bike, building momentum through months of daydreaming and what-ifs.
Here's our bucket list of bikepacking destinations - some that we’ve already had the privilege of exploring, others that we’re dreaming of making a reality soon. Some are close to home here in the UK, others require a bigger leap of faith and a little more time... All of them promise a dose of escapism and adventure memories that promise to stick around even when the wheels have stopped rolling.
1. PATAGONIA
Riding the Carretera Austral is the stuff of legend—a rite of passage for many young Chileans and Argentinians, inspired partly by stories of epic motorcycle journeys through South America's wildest corners. This isn't just a bike route; it's a pilgrimage through landscapes that redefine what "remote" actually means.
Stretching over 1,200 kilometres from Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins, the Carretera weaves through ancient forests, alongside turquoise lakes, and past glaciers that have been carving valleys for millennia. The road itself tells a story, built section by section through some of the most challenging terrain on earth, connected by ferry crossings that feel like adventures within the adventure.
Routes on our radar:
Carretera Austral North to South - The full monty, glacier to desert
Fin del Mundo - Where the world literally ends
Our version: Patagonia Adventure - The best of the Carretera Austral, over two weeks.
On our list to…
EAT - Perfect our asado technique and try a proper completo hot dog
DO - Climb an active volcano, master the art of ferry travel, wild camp under the Southern Cross.
2. SLOVENIA
Slovenia was where Sisters in the Wild was born, and it will always hold a special place in our hearts. It's also home to some of Europe's most spectacular riding—Alpine peaks reflected in emerald rivers, forests that feel ancient, and single-track that flows like it was designed by mountain bike gods.
The best part? You can reach Slovenia by train with a little planning, turning the journey into part of the adventure. There's something deeply satisfying about watching European countryside roll past the window, knowing your bike is safely stowed just a few carriages away.
Routes on our radar:
Slovenia West Loop - Alps to Adriatic in one epic sweep
Seven Serpents Trail - Technical single-track through ancient forests
Komoot Women's Rally Route - Community-tested classics
Our version: Slovenia Bikepacking - Where it all began
On our list to…
EAT - Bled cake with a view, hearty jota in mountain huts
DO - Sleep in a traditional mountain hut, swim in Lake Bled at dawn, raft the wild Soča River.
3. WALES
Sometimes the best adventures are waiting right on your doorstep. Wales caught us completely off guard last year—it was our most requested destination for 2025, and our Gravel Camp sold out faster than we could say "Cymru am byth." On closer inspection, it's easy to see why Wales ticks every box.
Eight hundred miles of dramatic coastline, the rugged peaks of Snowdonia, the rolling beauty of the Brecon Beacons—Wales packs more variety per square mile than almost anywhere in Europe. Add in a culture that genuinely welcomes outdoor enthusiasts and world-class trails, and you've got bikepacking paradise hiding in plain sight.
Routes on our radar:
Trans-Cambrian Way - Coast to coast via the green heart of Wales
Gower Peninsula Loop - Surf beaches and ancient stones
Our version: Wales Gravel Camp - Discover the best of Wales from a basecamp lodge
On our list to…
EAT - Welsh cakes as the ultimate bikepacking fuel
DO - Summit Snowdon at sunrise, brave a dip in the Irish Sea, catch waves on the Gower coast.
4. CANARY ISLANDS
While the Spanish Canary Islands are better known as winter beach holiday destinations, they're rapidly gaining popularity as winter bike adventure bases. Our favourite is Lanzarote—temperatures in the twenties even in January, endless networks of gravel roads suitable for all levels, and an island small enough that you'll stumble onto beaches during almost every ride.
For a longer island-hopping adventure, the Gran Guanche route connects multiple islands in one epic journey. There's something wonderfully surreal about riding through volcanic landscapes in the morning and swimming in the Atlantic by lunch.
Routes on our radar:
Gran Guanche Trail - Island-hopping at its finest
Our version: Lanzarote Gravel Camp - Winter sunshine guaranteed
On our list to…
EAT - Papas arrugadas, fresh fish, local wines
DO - Mid-ride swims in the sea, explore volcanic caves, watch sunset from a different island each day.
5. ALBANIA
There's something magical about being able to ride from mountains to sea in a single day, and Albania delivers this in spades. Only opening to foreign tourism in the 1990s, Albania carries a fascinating history and culture that feels refreshingly undiscovered.
While the coast now boasts modern tourist infrastructure and Instagram-worthy beaches, time stands still in the mountains. Traditional villages cling to hillsides, shepherds still move their flocks along ancient paths, and the riding ranges from smooth tarmac to challenging mountain gravel that rewards every pedal stroke.
Routes on our radar:
Trans Dinarica Albania - Mountain culture and incredible vistas
Our versions: Albania Bikepacking - riding from mountains to sea on dreamy tarmac, or & Albania WILDER Bikepacking - exploring the wild mountains of the country’s hinterland.
On our list to…
EAT - Traditional byrek from roadside kiosks and the freshest seafood at the coast
DO - Swim in the Ionian Sea, explore Ottoman-era architecture in Girokaster, experience genuine Balkan hospitality.
6. CROATIA
Following our coastline theme, the Istrian Peninsula offers unrivalled potential for gravel riding punctuated by mid-ride sea dips. Every ride we've done there has been pure joy—rolling hills covered in vineyards, medieval hilltop towns, and countless opportunities to hop on boats to explore hidden coves and smaller islands.
Bikepacking legend Lael Wilcox, hosting a Women's Bikepacking Rally there this September, is set to put this gorgeous region even more firmly on the bikepacking map. If Lael thinks it's worth exploring, you know the riding is going to be exceptional.
Routes on our radar:
Istrian Peninsula Loop - Hilltop towns and coastal gems
Parenzana Trail - Following old railway routes through three countries
On our list to…
EAT - Fresh truffles, world-class olive oil, seafood caught that morning
DO - Island-hop by ferry, swim in secluded bays, explore Venetian architecture.
7. JORDAN
We call this our Bucket List trip, and there's a reason. Where else can you visit one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, float in the world's saltiest sea, ride through Mars-like desert landscapes, and go scuba diving—all by bike, all within a week?
The Jordan Bike Trail links these once-in-a-lifetime experiences with perfectly planned logistics. It's adventure travel at its finest: challenging enough to feel earned, supported enough to feel safe, spectacular enough to change how you see the world.
Routes on our radar:
Jordan Bike Trail - The full desert-to-sea experience
Wadi Rum Loop - Lawrence of Arabia's playground
Our version: Jordan Bike Adventure - The best of the Jordan Bike Trail
On our list to…
EAT - Authentic Jordanian mansaf, Bedouin-style coffee around a campfire
DO - Explore Petra by candlelight, float effortlessly in the Dead Sea, sleep under infinite desert stars.
8. SPAIN
One of Spain's most unpopulated regions sits right next to some of its most famous tourist resorts—a wonderful contradiction that makes the "badlands" of southern Andalusia perfect for bikepacking. This is proper backcountry riding through landscapes that feel more like movie sets than real places.
Here you can ride from snow-capped mountains through otherworldly desert to Mediterranean beaches in less than a week. The route threads through just enough villages and cafés to keep you fuelled and caffeinated, but remote enough to feel like true adventure.
Routes on our radar:
Badlands Gravel - Mountains to desert to sea
Our version: Andalusia WILDER Bikepacking - Wild Iberia at its finest
On our list to…
EAT - Perfect gazpacho, jamón ibérico, churros for breakfast
DO - Wild camp in the desert, explore Moorish architecture, catch sunset from a pueblo blanco.
9. MEXICO
Nestled in the highlands of southern Mexico and famous for its mezcal production, Oaxaca tops our foodie destinations list. This is a place where ancient indigenous cultures blend seamlessly with colonial history, creating a cultural richness that's impossible to find anywhere else.
The capital city buzzes with energy—street food vendors on every corner serving fresh tacos, tlayudas, and quesadillas that redefine what Mexican food can be. Venture into the surrounding mountains and you'll find traditional villages where time moves differently and every meal feels like a celebration.
Routes on our radar:
Oaxaca Bikepacking Routes: So many options from overnighters to week-long tours
On our list to…
EAT - Street tacos at dawn, traditional mole, mezcal tastings
DO - Explore ancient Zapotec ruins, shop in indigenous markets, learn traditional cooking techniques.
10. SCOTLAND
There's no finer place to be than Scotland on a sunny day—and Scotland has hosted more Sisters in the Wild trips than any other country for good reason. The riding is genuinely world-class, the freedom to wild camp means you can wake up anywhere that catches your eye, and the culture of hospitality makes every interaction memorable.
Scotland offers endless pre-designed routes to choose from, or the freedom to create your own adventure across some of Europe's most spectacular landscapes. Plus, there's something deeply satisfying about diving into a loch after a long day's riding—it's shock therapy and a reward system all rolled into one.
Routes on our radar:
Badger Divide - Highlands at their most dramatic
Capital Trail - Edinburgh to the edge of the world
Our version: Scotland Bikepacking & Scotland Gravel Camp - Our favorite trails in Scotland with local legends
On our list to…
EAT - Fresh Scottish salmon, tablet for instant energy, proper fish and chips
DO - Wild camp beside a loch, spot red deer at dawn, master the art of the Highland fling.
11. NORWAY
Has anyone else noticed Norway creeping up everyone's "must-visit" list lately? It's newly added to our bucket list after seeing endless Instagram stories of snow-capped peaks reflected in crystal-clear lakes, plus events like Mother North putting Norwegian gravel firmly on the map.
The game-changer is Norway's "right to roam" laws—wild camping is not just permitted but actively encouraged, as long as you follow simple respect-the-land principles. Picture this: riding through fjord country all day, then pitching camp beside a lake so still it perfectly mirrors the midnight sun.
Routes on our radar:
Lofoten Islands Circuit - Arctic paradise on two wheels
Rallarvegen & Mjolkevegen - Historic railway route through pristine wilderness
On our list to…
EAT - Fresh Arctic char, cloudberries straight from the bush
DO - Experience the midnight sun, wild camp beside a fjord, spot the Northern Lights.
Huge thanks to Charlotte for sharing her bikepacking bucket list with us. We're already planning the next trip...
Check out our guide, Made to Roam: A Guide to Bikepacking and our interview with Charlotte in the links below.
